2016 / 2017 English Premier League

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Player Profile

Eden Hazard's rise over the past couple of years has been meteoric, with the Belgian starlet undergoing a remarkable transformation from precocious Lille youngster to Ligue 1 sensation to one of the most sought after players in Europe. The fleet-footed attacker has drawn comparisons to Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, but perhaps the greatest compliment has been the willingness of the Belgian press to proclaim that Hazard has what it takes to fill the enormous boots left by the legendary Enzo Schifo.

Born into a footballing family, Hazard's youth career took in Belgian sides Royal Stade Brainois and Tubize before he settled at Lille as a 14-year-old in 2005. Two years later and the teenage prodigy had made his debut in the French top flight, going on to make a handful of substitute appearances in the 2007-08 season. The following campaign was a real breakthrough year, though, as he went from impact sub to first-team talisman in the space of a few months, with his sparkling performances earning him an international debut for Belgium and the Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year award.

The plaudits continued to roll in and Hazard was tied down to a new four-year contract with Lille in an attempt to stave off interest from some of Europe's biggest clubs. With five league goals and eight assists, Hazard became his side's creator-in-chief and his influential displays saw his reputation continue to grow around the continent.

Hazard's start to the 2010-11 campaign was troubled as he was publicly criticised by Belgium national team coach Georges Leekens, who accused him of being lazy in training, and he was also dropped by Lille coach Rudi Garcia. He didn't start a league game for Lille until November but ultimately re-established himself as an integral member of the first-team.

After years of speculation, and competition from clubs including Manchester United and Manchester City, Chelsea sealed his signature for an estimated 32 million pounds in the summer of 2012.

The Belgian winger adapted quickly to English football and made an immediate impact with his dribbling skills and pace down the left wing. He managed 13 goals in his maiden season at Stamford Bridge and was part of Rafa Benitez's Europa League winning side. However, he made the headlines for all the wrong reasons in Chelsea's League Cup clash with Swansea after he was sent off for kicking a ball boy.

But it was during his second season in West London and under the tutelage of Jose Mourinho that Hazard would really flourish. His crisp strike in Chelsea's UEFA Super Cup final defeat to Bayern Munich in August 2013 set the tone for his season as he went on to score 17 goals in all competitions. Mourinho labelled him the best young footballer in the world and it was a sentiment echoed by his Premier League peers as he was named the PFA Young Player of the Year, finishing second to Luis Suarez for the senior award. Question marks do linger over Hazard's future however, with the Belgian confessing that he could move to Paris Saint-Germain at some point in his career.

Belgium were touted by many pundits as the dark horses for the 2014 World Cup, but the Red Devils, after overcoming the United States in the second round, went down in defeat at the quarterfinal stage to eventual finalists Argentina.

Any disappointment that Hazard may had felt in Brazil was channeled into a sparking 2014-15 season at Stamford Bridge. Hazard started all 38 Premier League matches for the Blues, scoring 14 goals and leading Chelsea to their first Premier League crown since 2009-10. Hazard's efforts in Celsea's title-winning season also saw him land the coveted PFA Player of the Year award.

Strengths: A defender's nightmare, Hazard can dribble at pace and, like Lionel Messi, he is 5ft 7in and has a low centre of gravity that helps him breeze past opposition players. He has an eye for the spectacular and has scored some memorable solo efforts.

Weaknesses: Hazard's work-rate and attitude has been questioned by his club and national team bosses. He was heavily criticised by Jose Mourinho after his negative comments about Chelsea's tactics following their Champions League defeat to Atletico Madrid in April 2014.

Career high: Winning the 2014-15 Premier League title with Chelsea and claiming the 2014-15 PFA Player of the Year award.

Career low: Suffering penalty heartache at the hands of Spain in the 2007 UEFA European Under-17 Championship. Hazard's Belgium were hosting the tournament but went crashing out in the semifinals after losing a shootout to a Bojan Krkic-inspired Spain side.

Style: A fearless, explosive attacking midfielder who can change the game with a turn of pace or a dribble.

Quotes: "Eden is technically gifted and very fast. I would take him to Real Madrid with my eyes closed. He can become a great footballer, he is a star of the future." France legend Zinedine Zidane gives Hazard a ringing endorsement.

Trivia: Hazard comes from a football family. His parents, Thierry and Carine, were footballers in Belgium, and his younger brother Thorgan is a Chelsea team-mate.